TENSIONS AND SIMILARITIES IN SOCIALISM

Question 1

Areas of similarity over human nature

Answer 1

idea of social creatures and communal

Human nature is flexible and can change

Optimistic view of what human nature can become

Question 2

Differences in human nature

Answer 2

Fundamental socialists such as marx believed human nature was easily susceptible to contamination by capitalism

Modern socialists like giddens believe that capitalism and human nature can prosper under capitalism

Question 3

areas of similarity over the state

Answer 3

tended to favour the state as a key tool for change

The right kind of state can improve society by promoting equality

Question 4

differences in the state

Answer 4

marx believed the existing capitalist state should be revolted against and replaced by a dictatorship of the proletariat which would wither away

Modern socialists believe that the state can be used to steer society in a socialist direction and that requires reform not abolitiment

Question 5

similarities in society

Answer 5

see human nature and individuals as the product of the society that they live in

Socialist traditionally focused on classes

Society needs to be reconfired with a line of justice to have more equality

Question 6

similarities in society

Question 7

differences in society

Answer 7

orthodox communists such as marx believe society is sick and needs revolution for the shock factor to realise it

Webb believed it could be gradually improved by entrenching socialist values

Revisionists believe that alongside capitalism and private property society can improve

Question 8

similarities in the economy

Answer 8

Socialisms focus on class and equality means the economy must work in the interest of everyone

Agree private property and capitalism are problematic but differ over whether they are compatible with socialism

Question 9

differences in the economy

Answer 9

fundamental socialists believe socialism in incompatible with capitalism and believe a non-capitalist economy should be made quickly through revolution

Democratic socialists believe a non-capitalist economy can come gradually through changes

social democrat revisionists like crosland believe in keynesian economics

THird way like giddens believe the economy should be neoliberal claiming this will produce a greater tax yield for changes